Outlet device for bunkers,silos and the like



f: 9, 9' HANS-DIETER BAEHR 3,482,742

OUTLET DEVICE FOR BUNKERS, SILOS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 26. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 2

. INVENTOR HANS-D/ETER BAEHR ATTYS.

Dec. 9. 1969 HANS'DIETER BAEHR OUTLET DEVICE FOR BUNKERS. SILOS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 26. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HA zvs 0/5 1-5/2 5A EHA rrrs.

United States Patent O US. Cl. 222-564 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention has reference to a bunker, silo or the like and has interiorly arranged devices above the bottom outlet of the bunker to allow free passage or outlet of material from the bunker without clogging of the material at the outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an outlet device for bunkers, silos and the like, intended to make possible the unobstructed outflow of heavy bulk goods from the bunker or the like, without blockage of the goods in the outlet device or the prevention of continuous flow by bridge formation. Especially in bunkers, silos and the like which are very high, sometimes reaching a height of 20 to 30 meters, the standing column of goods exerts considerable pressure on the outlet device. Incorrect structures in the bunker space directly above the outlet device can hinder the free flow of the goods. A method has been proposed of incorporating at least one oblique surface in the bunker space, over which the goods are led to an outlet. Further, the use of noses projecting into other bunker space is also known, these holding back the pressure of the column of goods, especially above the outlet opening. Such a noselike projection extends sideways from one wall of the interior to the other wall thereof. This is many cases necessitates special formation of the wall opposite the nose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an outlet device for bunkers, silos and the like, for heavy bulk goods in particular, in which at least one oblique surface is present in the bunker area on which the material is directed to an outlet, and in which above the outlet opening there is provided an arc-shaped segment which-seen in cross-section projects into the bunker area as an oblique surface and terminates with the lateral arc parts at a short distance from the bunker wall.

The arc-shaped segment comprises a frusto-conical sec tion. The oblique surface comprises a distributing surface portion of the frusto-conical section. This distributing surface portion is located to receive a downward flow of material and thereby deflects the material laterally of the arc-shaped segment.

With the foregoing construction, the outlet device is obtained in which the arc segment protects the outlet opening from the pressure of the column of goods, and also helps to make the goods flow freely in a loosened form. The arc-shape of the segment projecting obliquely down into the bunker space not only leads the goods in the column to flow down along the oblique surfaces but also, as a result of the arc, in both opposed directions transversely to the oblique surface of the segment, a sufficient space is left between the ends of the segments and the bunker walls for the fiow of the goods. The areshaped oblique segment assists the flow not only in one "ice direction but also in the transverse direction, i.e. practically in the direction of both main axes of the crosssectional surface of the bunker. There is no danger of wedging of the goods in the outlet device. The are segment consists practically only of the arc-shaped oblique surface, i.e. below the arc segment the space is completely free, so that the goods can loosen up and extend in that direction in order to flow off. This applies especially to the segment parts located at the sides of the arc. With this arrangement it is suflicient if the opposite bunker wall turns into the oblique surface at a sharp angle. The arc segment, which stops with its end at a distance from the bunker wall, leads the goods, in conjunction with the outlet oblique surface, directly into the outlet opening.

The outlet device formed in accordance with the present invention is equally advantageous with bunkers of square or circular cross-section. In particular, it makes possible the use of a large outlet slot. Two are segments can with advantage be arranged, mirror-image fashion, and in the vertical medial plane of the bunker. Thus both arc-segments can start off from an intermediate wall which, seen in cross-section, is formed so as to come to a point at the top. The outlet under both arc-segments advantageously extends along the said segments and can be broader than both arc-segments together. The intermediate wall can extend rather lower than the arc-segment at the lower ends. It should, however, still be at a suflicient distance from the outlet opening.

The arc-segment itself extends at least over an angle of degrees. An advantageous angle for the arc-segment is one lying between and degrees. In this way the goods receive secure guidance into a flow downwardly, just where the bunker walls lie opposite the arc-segments. The main outlet oblique surface should run transversely to the arc-segment.

The material is distributed in all directions off and along the distributing surface portion. The material is directed to the side wall of the bunker and at varying distances therefrom to be discharged from the housing through the bottom opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view on line I-I of FIG. 2, showing an embodiment of the outlet device according to the invention for bunkers, silos or the like;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of another form of the invention showing the outlet device in a silo which is rectangular in cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The bunker which will hereinafter be referred to as a silo is designated in general by the reference numeral 1 and is illustrated as being circular in cross-section with outlet oblique surfaces 2 and 3 which are directed towards the medial axis and the lower edges of which form the limits of an outlet opening 4 which is square or rectangular in plan view. The outlet oblique surfaces 2 and 3 can be at a relatively low angle, e.g. 40 degrees. Above the outlet opening 4 an intermediate vertical wall 5 mounted at a distance above the bottom opening 4 and running longitudinally along the outlet opening terminates in a knife edge at the upper end thereof as seen in crosssection in FIGS. 1 and 2 and designated by the reference numeral 6. An arc-shaped segment 7 is mounted on each side of the intermediate wall 5, the segments 7 as seen in cross-section in FIG. 1 projecting with an oblique wall 8 into the silo space 9 and ending at their ends as vat 7' and 7" a short distance from the side wall of the silo 1. I

A short vertical flange 10'connects the oblique wall 8 to the segment 7 at each side of the intermediatewall S. The space formed by the oblique wall 8 can be hollow as shown but this area may comprise a solid construction. In the example shown, the arc-segment extends over an angle of, about 160 degrees. The intermediate .wall 5 extends downwardly below the arc-segments 7, but stops at a sufiicient distance below the outlet opening 4. A thin plate can be provided as a continuation of the medial intermediate wall 5, and the said plate can be supported along the length of outlet opening 4 by several thin-walled transverse bars arranged at right angles. The arc-shaped oblique walls 8 can run at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees, preferably at 45 degrees.

The column of goods in the silo 1, of some considerable height, e.g. 20' to 30 meters, is partially caught above the outlet opening 4 by the oblique walls 8 of the arcshaped segments 7, these segments leading the goods through oblique walls 8 to the silo space 9 and, by means of the arc-shape of the oblique walls, to both sides of the segment, sufiicient flow-space remaining to allow the goods to run oif, as a result of the distance between the arc-segment and the opposed silo wall. The knife-edge part 6 of the intermediate wall supports the effect of the oblique walls 8. The goods can extend below arc-segment 7 to intermediate wall 5 and slide in loose form to the outlet opening 4. In this formation of the outlet device, even taking into account the considerable pressure engendered by a high column of goods, there is no chance of any bridge-formation of the goods. On the withdrawal of goods at the outlet opening, which can be provided with the normal removal devices, the goods flow continuously and freely. The outlet oblique walls 2 and 3 can run off at a sharp angle from the silo wall. Further oblique walls can be arranged below outlet opening 4, these walls running transversely to outlet oblique walls 2 and 3, so that a take-off slot of smaller cross-sectional surface is obtained.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a silo 1a, which is square in cross-section is disclosed. At one silo wall, arc-segment 7a is provided with the oblique surface 8a according to the formation of the arc segment of FIGS. 1 to 3. The segment is at a sufiicient distance above the outlet opening 4a, to which the outlet oblique wall 2a leads from the opposite silo wall. In the case of square cross-section also, the arc-segment can be provided in twin form with a mirror-image arrangement, in the middle of the cross-section, in conjunction with an intermediate wall.

What is claimed is:

1. In a silo construction or the like having a dispensing assembly comprising:

(a) a housing having an inclosing vertical wall and a restricted outlet at the bottom thereof,

(b) means mounting at least one arc-shaped segment in said housing above the bottom opening,

(c) said arc-shaped s'gnieiit'bmp'risni a f rusto-conical section including a distributing surface portion at varying distances theretr'ornjto be discharged from the housing anem atermina 2. A silo construction as in claim 1 where in an intermediate wall extends tfransve'rselyo fjthe" housing and'is engaged withopposite walls of t housingfwith'an arc shaped segment at eachiside o'fthewaH aridterminatiiig above the segments withafknife-likeedg'e and extending below the segments to maintaintwo separateoutlet paths for the material to the out'le'tf q t 3. A silo constructionas'iricl aim 1 wherein an inter mediate wall extends transversely ofithe housing and is engaged with opposite walls of the housing with an arcshaped segmentat each. side of therwall and terminating above the segments with a knife-like edge and extending below the segments to maintain twoseparateoutlet paths.

for the material to the outlet, theoutlet opening extending along the arc-segments and the obliquegwalls arranged in a transverse direction to the-arc-segments. I

4. A silo construction as in claim 1= wherein an intermediate wall extends transversely of the'housing and is engaged with opposite walls of the housing with an arcshaped segment at each side of the wall and terminating above the segments with a knife-like edge. and extending below the segments to maintaintwo separate outlet paths for the material to-the outlet, the hollow.

5. A silo construction as in claim 1 wherein anintermediate wall extends transversely of the housingsand engaged with opposite walls of the housing .withan are.- shaped segment at each side of the wall and terminating arc-segments being above the segments with a knife-like edge andextending 352,418 11/1886 Locher; 193 2 3,081,009 3/1963 Cooper 222-564X SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner Y N. L. STACK, JR., Assistant Examiner v 

